Chapter 403: Chapter 402: Leaving
"Inspector General."
Stunned awe flickered in the eyes of the crowd lining both sides of Lele City, as they watched Shi Xiaole approach.
It was hard to imagine how a twenty-two-year-old had come this far. His short martial-world career had already eclipsed many people’s lifetime achievements.
Zhu Ling, the fair-faced head steward in white, was filled with nostalgia as she thought about their initial encounter only five or six years ago. Being reduced to a figment of her fantasy, Shi Xiaole had now become the unparalleled figure of eight states. Her dreams felt surreal.
She still harbored fantasies about Shi Xiaole, but the realization of his presence turned her dreams into deep-seated self-doubt, which she swiftly buried deep inside her heart.
"Junior Brother."
Yuan Qiuwei, Xiao Yuanbo, and Mao Wenjing approached him. It was Xiao Yuanbo who spoke, while the other two remained relatively silent.
Before, Shi Xiaole was concerned that the seven major sects, including the Guan Family, would harm the Huajian Sect, so he advised Yu Fangge to dissolve the sect and move into Hidden Lake Villa.
Later, when Su Yanru established Lele City, Yu Fangge and the others naturally joined.
"Senior Brother, second Senior Brother, third Senior Sister."
Shi Xiaole quickly greeted them, his voice filled with fondness.
As the four of them shook hands, it was as if the memories of their shared past flowed along that connection and coursed through their hearts.
"Junior Brother, when you call me second senior brother, it feels like a weight has been lifted from my heart."
Xiao Yuanbo erupted into hearty laughter. Wild by nature and unrestrained, his words hinted at something deeper.
"No matter what happens, in my heart, you three will always be my Senior Brothers and Sisters."
Shi Xiaole looked at the three of them.
Xiao Yuanbo raised an eyebrow and glanced sidelong at the other two.
Yuan Qiuwei pursed his lips and gently patted Shi Xiaole’s shoulder, his face bearing a shy and bashful expression. Mao Wenjing stood quietly, smiling and silently reproaching herself for overthinking. Their junior brother would never forget his friends, no matter how much success he had achieved.
"I never expected him to get this far."
Jin Wuwei, Sha Zongheng, and Lan Ning, the three geniuses from the Golden Phoenix Tower, marveled at the wonders of fate.
That youth was like an incomparable pearl hidden in a clam, ordinary for fifteen years, only to shed its shell one day and radiate an overwhelming light.
In the Golden Phoenix Tower’s competition, he silently soared through his battles, snatching the first place against all odds.
In the competition at Yingxia Mountain, among the plethora of geniuses each demonstrating their skills, none could deter him and his solitary sword. The event, dubbed the most brilliant in centuries, effectively became a backdrop to accentuate his legendary journey.
Shi Xiaole was like a constant star in the sky. To glance, it was not as dazzling as the sun. However, only those who truly knew him understood, it was because they were not worthy of coming close to him, unable to appreciate the true brilliance of his radiance.
A grand feast was held for three consecutive days in Lele City.
Upon hearing of Shi Xiaole’s return, all the top and first-rate powers of Qingxue State sent people to pay their respects and express their gratitude for Sword Marquis’ contributions to the martial world in the eight states.
For a whole month, the city gates of Lele City was congested with visitors, many of them being distinguished figures from the martial world of Qingxue State.
"The Lord of the Mechanism Pavilion is here."
The guard of Lele City calmly announced the arrival, and the Lord, bowing his fist in salute, led his high-ranking members into the city.
A few guards exchanged glances, filled with feelings of admiration.
The saying ’even a seventh-level official commands respect in front of a prime minister’ deeply resonated with them.
In terms of actual strength, they were merely Spiritual-Passage Realm first-level experts, yet they were now being treated with the utmost respect.
This not only applied to their current situation but also when they occasionally ventured into the martial world during their off-duty days. As soon as people heard that they were from Lele City, even some leaders in the underworld would dare not to give them trouble.
The present-day Lele City had fully become the symbol of the martial world in Qingxue State, and everyone took pride in being part of it.
...
Shi Xiaole, who had been staying in Lele City for a month, was finally enjoying some relaxation.
The martial world of the eight states was pretty much stable now. Although there were occasional frictions between the Righteous Path and the Devil Path, those were merely small fights, nothing that could cause any significant unrest.
Moreover, Shi Xiaole had secretly passed on the detailed information about several organizations of the Devil Path to Su Yanru. Once he left, Lele City could slowly and surreptitiously release this information to aid the Righteous Path.
Of course, repeated leaks of information would raise suspicions in the Devil Path, and they might even change their plans. But Shi Xiaole did not expect to flush out all the disobedient elements in this way.
You have to eat your food one bite at a time, and you have to walk your road one step at a time.
"Inspector General, the city lord of Queen City, Xia Lingwei, seeks an audience."
While enjoying tea and flowers with Chou Wuji in the backyard, a voice rang from a guard at the entrance of the courtyard.
Xia Lingwei?
Shi Xiaole was slightly taken aback.
He had no special relationship with her; why would she want to meet him?
"Please tell City Lord Xia to wait momentarily; I’ll be right there."
Shi Xiaole would not forget that Queen City had helped him several times in the past. Out of gratitude and respect, he ought to welcome her personally.
Soon after, in the guest reception hall, Shi Xiaole met with Xia Lingwei and Ye Liushuang.
In her thirties, Xia Lingwei had smooth fair skin. With her upturned eyes, she naturally gave a stern and authoritative impression. Shi Xiaole noticed that Xia Lingwei was looking at him strangely, but he could not be certain if he’d seen it right.
"City Lord Xia, Miss Ye, please, have a seat."
Shi Xiaole extended his hand courteously.
It took Xia Lingwei a while to snap out of her daze, to the point where Ye Liushuang began to feel awkward. Then she sat down as directed, and blurted out, "Young Hero Shi, you really resemble a man I knew before." (Detail in Chapter 258)
With these words, Shi Xiaole’s movement of making tea was interrupted.
"Did you know him, Lady Xia?"
"We were acquainted for a few months."
"What’s the name of this old friend?"
"Shi Xuanzhong."
Shi Xiaole’s heart jolted. It made sense that Xia Lingwei had acted so strangely earlier.
Over the years, he had been looking for his parents, but had no leads. His intuition told him that today might bring some breakthroughs. Thus, he asked, "Lady Xia, could you tell me everything you know?"
Xia Lingwei let out a long sigh.
She came here today for this purpose.
The first time she saw Shi Xiaole on Heroic Mountain, Xia Lingwei knew that he must be related to that man. Not only did they look alike, but even their expressions and temperaments were similar, as if they were carved from the same mold.
People might know that Xia Lingwei was born solitary, moody, and disdainful of men, but they didn’t know that after meeting the most outstanding man, any other man could hardly catch her eye.
Just like a person who has tasted all the delicacies, how could one like plain food again?
"At that time, I was severely injured. He and his wife saved me and took me back to the Queen City. As repayment, I let them stay for several months."
Nostalgia filled Xia Lingwei’s eyes.
That man’s demeanor and understanding of martial arts were far beyond the level of Qingxue State. His appeal to Xia Lingwei, who was in her early twenties, was imaginable.
Over the years, Xia Lingwei often reflected on herself. She understood that rather than being fond of him, she was attracted to the perfect man in her mind who was represented in Shi Xuanzhong.
Just like a young girl developing her first crush, she will always have unrealistic fantasies about the perfect idol.
Xia Lingwei spoke at length about the daily life of Shi Xuanzhong and his wife, down to the smallest detail. It was clear that she took great care to observe them back then.
Shi Xiaole and Ye Liushuang were both engrossed in her story, seeming to lose themselves in the narrative.
Musk filled the hall.
Shi Xiaole suddenly asked curiously, "Lady Xia, do you know the name of Shi Xuanzhong’s wife?"
Shaking her head, Xia Lingwei said, "I only know Shi Xuanzhong called his wife Yu Ji."
Yu Ji?
Shi Xiaole quietly made a note of this.
"Over the years, I have secretly investigated their whereabouts but found nothing. However, I can tell you, they stayed at the Maple Forest Cottage in Mirror State for a while."
When Xia Lingwei said this, Ye Liushuang at her side suddenly widened her eyes in surprise.
She clearly remembered, over a decade ago, her master inexplicably disappeared for several years. Could she have gone to Mirror State?
"Thank you, Lady Xia, for the information."
Shi Xiaole stood up and bowed sincerely.
"No need for that."
Xia Lingwei waved her hand in dismissal, but there was a trace of melancholy in her heart.
Mirror State was located in the east of Shuntian Capital, with a strong martial arts prowess ranking among the top ten in all 365 states. It was not until she went to Mirror State that Xia Lingwei discovered that Maple Forest Cottage was a local legend.
She spent a long time asking countless people, but still found nothing about Maple Forest Cottage. In the end, she had no choice but to return empty-handed.
If Shi Xiaole’s martial strength was not strong enough, Xia Lingwei would not have disclosed this information.
Because she knew better than anyone how terrifying the martial world of Mirror State was.
Not because there were more martial artists at the Spiritual-Passage Realm than in other states, but the top-tier martial artists there were extraordinarily powerful. If it weren’t for her good fortune, she would have died countless times.
"If one day, you happen to find Brother Shi and his wife, please tell them that there’s an old friend in Queen City who always welcomes them."
Withdrawing her gaze from Shi Xiaole, Xia Lingwei turned and left without a backward glance. Seeing this, Ye Liushuang had no choice but to hurriedly say her goodbyes and quickly follow suit.
Shi Xiaole watched the two leave, knew better than to follow, but his mind was made up.
Another month passed.
Chou Wuji had finally completed the defensive Array System around Lele City. Once activated, even a peak Spiritual-Passage Realm master would be unable to break it for a while.
Moreover, at the secret locations in the four corners, there were four passages. Once the Array System was broken, the people of Lele City could escape through these.
Furthermore, Shi Xiaole specifically asked Jade Fan Scholar, Pan Yiheng, and others to take care of Lele City while he was away. They immediately agreed.
In fact, Shi Xiaole was being overly cautious. With his current influence, no one in either the Righteous Path or the Devil Path would dare to mess with Lele City.
As long as he is not dead, no one will dare.
Once everything was ready, Shi Xiaole no longer had any worries.
One early morning, a rider on a green horse, wearing a green robe, set off from the rear mountain of Lele City, entering the vast mountain range and secretly left Qingxue State.
This time he will go beyond the Eight Provinces to experience a larger and more exciting Martial World!
